Telescopic clothesline props or the like



July 2, 1957 H. scHwALBE TELESCOPIC CLOTHESLINE PROFS OR THE LIKE Filed Ju1y2l2, 1952 United States Patent@ 2,797,942 'I ELESCOPIC CLOIHESLNE PROPS. 0R TID?. LIKE Harvey Schwalbe, Milwaukee, Wis.

Applicationilulyv 12, 1952, Serial No. 298,498 1 claim. (c1. rs1-58),

This invention relates to improvements in telescopic clothes line props or the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved clothes line prop or the like having an extensible portion which is automatically releasably locked in any selected vertical position to which it is raised.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved clothes line prop or the like of the class described including a pair of telescopically associated `cylindrical members, said prop having novel locking mechanism wherein a ball member is normally wedged against the inner of said members to prevent downward movement of said inner member.

A specific object of the invention is to provide an improved clothes line prop or the like of the class described wherein the locking mechanism can be readily released with one hand.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved telescopic clothes line prop or the like having a cushion member of resilient material forming an antislip base therefor, the construction of the prop being such that said member also receives and cushions the impact of the extensible member when the latter is released from a raised position and allowed to drop freely.

A further object of the invention is to provide an irnproved clothes line prop or the like of the class described which is neat in appearance, compact to store; and light in weight.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved clothes line prop or the like which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and otherwise well adapted for the purposes described.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and more particularly dened by the claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view of the improved clothes line prop or the like, parts being broken away and shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 5 indicates an elongated metal tubular member having a longer metal cylindrical member 6 of predetermined smaller diameter positioned therewithin. The member 6 is also preferably tubular. The lower end of tube 5 is closed by a cupshaped cushion member 7 of resilient material such as rubber, said member having a non-skid outer bottom surface 26 and an inner bottom surface 27. The lower end of the inner tube 6 is ared, as at 8, to approximate the inner diameter of the outer tube S while retaining a sliding fit therewith. The upper end of outer tube 5 is flared inwardly, as at 9, to approximate the outer diameter of inner tube 6 while retaining a sliding lit therewith.

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2,797,942 Patented July 2., 1957 ICC Y 2 The ares 8 .and 9 prevent inadvertent withdrawal of inner tube. 6 from 4the upper end of outer tube 5 while at the same time insuring smooth sliding actiongof tube 6in tube 5.

Outer tube 5 has a vertical slot 10 formed therein near the upper endtbereof. -Suitably fixed, as by rivets 11 and 12, to tube 5 is a retaining and wedging member 13. The member 13` may be formed of a metal band having a pair of apertured vertically extending upper andlower end portions 14 and 15 respectively, fixed to the tube 5` in line withV and at each end of vertical slot 10. The member 13 also has a portion 16 connected to` portion 15 and extending upwardly and outwardly at an acute anale from tube. 5. A horizantal extent 17 connects the divergent upper end of extent 16 to portion 14. The extent 16 is preferably arcuate in horizontal cross-section, having a transversely concave surface 28 facing tube 5, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2.

A metal ball 18 has a portion positioned in the slot 10 and has an opposite portion normally engaging the surface 28. Ball 18 also normally frictionally engages the inner tube 6 and locks the latter against lowering movement by a wedging action. The member 13 is so positioned that the ball 18 is retained in the slot 10 at all times, but said ball can be lifted to the dot-and-dash line position of Fig. 1 out of engagement with inner tube 6. This lifting action can be readily accomplished by grasping tube 5 near member 13 with one hand, and moving ball 18 upwardly with the thumb of the same hand. The construction is such that ball 18 is readily accessible at all times.

The upper end of inner tube 6 is formed with a pair of diametrically opposite apertures 19. A line engaging member 20 of wire or other suitable material may have a Y-shaped upper portion 21 and a pair of parallel lower end portions 22 which extend into the upper end of tube 6 and have oppositely directed end portions 23 which are received in apertures 19. The upper end of tube 6 is flared inwardly to form an angled annular ange 24, and said ange is cut away, as at 25, to snugly receive the portions 22 of member 20 projecting therepast. A resilient plug 29 of rubber, cork, or other suitable material is positioned in the upper end of tube 6 below ange 24. Plug 29 holds the member 20 in operative position by retaining portions 22 in cut away ange portions 25 and end portions 23 in apertures 19.

The inner tube 6 of the improved clothes line prop or the like is automatically held by ball 18 in any selected position to which it is lifted. To lower the tube 6 it is only necessary to move ball 18 upwardly with a one hand manual operation. As the tube 6 is thus released, it falls by gravity onto the inner bottom surface 27 of cushion member 7 which cushions the impact of tube 6 thereon. The member 7 also serves as a non-skid foot or base for the improved prop. When tube 6 is lowered into contact with cushion 7, the improved prop is compact and requires little room for storage.

The specific illustration and corresponding description are used for the purpose of disclosure only, and are not intended to impose any unnecessary limitations on the claim, or to confine the patented invention to a particular use.

Having thus described the invention, what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A telescopic prop or the like comprising: an elongated cylindrical tube formed with an elongated opening of substantially smaller width than the diameter of said tube and extending longitudinally through a wall portion thereof, a bracket fixed to the outer surface of said tube having a portion projecting radially from said tube adjacent one end of said elongated opening and having a portion formed with an elongated surface concave in transverse cross-section' facing and longitudinally alined with said opening radially outwardly thereof, ksaid last mentioned bracket portion extending at an acute angle ,with respectzto said tube, and said bracket having a trans,- verse dimension substantially smaller than thedameter of said tube, an elongated cylindrical member telescopically slidable within said tube,and"a'ball'in said open- Ving having a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of said tube andthe length of said'opening, and substantially greater than the Width of said opening, said ball having a rst position in wedging engagement with said angled concave bracket surface and with said elongated member to lock the latter` againstY axial movement in one direction relativeV to said tube, and said lball Abeing manuallymovable along said angled surface to a second position out of wedging engagementvwith said elongated member torelease the latter for'free axial movement, said radial and angledbracket lportions being disposed to cooperate with the margins of said opening to prevent plete removal of said ball from said opening.

References Cited inthe le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Orwig Mar. 15, McBride e Aug. 2l, Knoth Oct. l5, Shroyer June 23, Carter Apr. 18, Hume Mar. 27, .Knight et al. Aug. 2l, Sollmann July 22, Rauglas' Nov. 10,

FOREIGN PATENTS France Jan. 3, 

